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STDs (Expert Forum)
4 month continuous outbreak
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Warts, Yeast Infection.All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
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4 month continuous outbreak
by dluv1000, Jan 23, 2007 12:00AM
I believe i have had herpes for about 4 years. I have only had symptoms in my mouth. Until recently i would get a soar throat swollen lymph nodes and flu like symptoms followed by lesions on both sides of my mouth (the cheeks) which would last about two weeks. This happened about twice a year. I have never been tested.
Then In september of 06 i got the flu and left on a six week trip, for the first two weeks I worked about 18 hours a day and by the end of it beat the flu and developed coldsores in my mouth (which i believe to be herpes) They have persisted lasting for a week or two then going away for 2-3 days and coming back. This has gone on for more than 4 months.
The lesions are kind of moving around a bit in my mouth from cheeks to the gums at the very back of my lower molars. But will not go away. I tried valtrex for one month, once a day it had no effect. I tried acyclover for 3 weeks 5 times a day, it had no effect.
At this point i am beyond frustrated and also concerned. I am not concerned about wether or not i have the disease, i am over that already. What i am concerned about is wether or not i have something else and that this outbreak is an indicator of a more pressing disease or infection.
I am currently the healthiest i have ever been. I exercise regularly and eat a healthy balanced diet. I dont drink or do drugs. I also quit smoking 6 months ago. I am not overweight and I have never been happier (my stress level is not very high)
I have a few questions:
1. is it possible to have continuous outbreaks for this long? or is this probably something else
2. This episode started after i quit smoking, could this have something to do with it?
3. Is it possible that this is related to something I am eating (i eliminated alcohol from my diet 6 weeks ago)
4. why are the medicines having no effect? Could it be a bacterial infection riding on top of the herpes infection or something like that?
5. Do you have any suggestions for me?
6. Am i contageious? i am confused after reading your other postings, if i kiss someone between or during symptoms will they get it in their mouth?
I realize i am asking a lot but i feel my case is atypical and my regular physician is not giving me any answers or effective treatments.
Please Help!
Then In september of 06 i got the flu and left on a six week trip, for the first two weeks I worked about 18 hours a day and by the end of it beat the flu and developed coldsores in my mouth (which i believe to be herpes) They have persisted lasting for a week or two then going away for 2-3 days and coming back. This has gone on for more than 4 months.
The lesions are kind of moving around a bit in my mouth from cheeks to the gums at the very back of my lower molars. But will not go away. I tried valtrex for one month, once a day it had no effect. I tried acyclover for 3 weeks 5 times a day, it had no effect.
At this point i am beyond frustrated and also concerned. I am not concerned about wether or not i have the disease, i am over that already. What i am concerned about is wether or not i have something else and that this outbreak is an indicator of a more pressing disease or infection.
I am currently the healthiest i have ever been. I exercise regularly and eat a healthy balanced diet. I dont drink or do drugs. I also quit smoking 6 months ago. I am not overweight and I have never been happier (my stress level is not very high)
I have a few questions:
1. is it possible to have continuous outbreaks for this long? or is this probably something else
2. This episode started after i quit smoking, could this have something to do with it?
3. Is it possible that this is related to something I am eating (i eliminated alcohol from my diet 6 weeks ago)
4. why are the medicines having no effect? Could it be a bacterial infection riding on top of the herpes infection or something like that?
5. Do you have any suggestions for me?
6. Am i contageious? i am confused after reading your other postings, if i kiss someone between or during symptoms will they get it in their mouth?
I realize i am asking a lot but i feel my case is atypical and my regular physician is not giving me any answers or effective treatments.
Please Help!
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jan 23, 2007 12:00AM
, Jan 23, 2007 12:00AM
Two main points. First, recurrent or chronic oral herpes lesions do not occur inside the mouth. Second, herpes simply does not cause continuous symptoms for so long. Valacyclovir and acyclovir didn't help because the problem isn't herpes. This sounds more like aphthous stomatitis (canker sores) or something else entirely.
This is completely outside my area of expertise, so I cannot speculate further. My advice is to either return to your doctor and make shre s/he knows how much this is bothering you; or get a second opinion, perhaps from your dentist or an ENT specialist. Even better, ask your dentist if there is an oral medicine expert (a dental specialty) in your area.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
This is completely outside my area of expertise, so I cannot speculate further. My advice is to either return to your doctor and make shre s/he knows how much this is bothering you; or get a second opinion, perhaps from your dentist or an ENT specialist. Even better, ask your dentist if there is an oral medicine expert (a dental specialty) in your area.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
I also forgot to mention that my sores are never painful. Perhaps on the first outbreak but never since. Not even a little.
So the additional information doesn't change my advice. Good luck.
You need to follow up with this with your doctor. It could be an allergy to food or even your toothpaste ( if you are using anything other than plain ole toothpaste stop - don't use the complete, total, whitening or tartar control - try the sensitive brand even for a few weeks to see if that helps ), it could also be a sign of other illness in your body - sinus infections and even reflux ( GERD ) can cause mouth symptoms. There are so many things other than herpes that can cause these symptoms so it's well worth following up on so that your mouth gets back to feeling better soon :)
grace